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Continued from page 4

Q. I have to ask about the army. Are they getting on okay with Yingluck?

Very good.

Q. So it’s not a source of problem…

Well you know so far so good we have no issue with them and we work with them very well. But politics power is something that sometimes there’s no fixed formula. During my administration, I had no problem. I appointed many, even the one who ousted me, Sonthi. But when the time comes, they will be instructed to do so.

Q. You are a politician but you are also a successful businessman. You have had so much money, why did you let yourself get in a situation where people can criticize you for being greedy?

Politicians always criticize each other in different ways. If you read a book called Judo Strategy, they said you have to hit the strongest point when they move. The strongest point is the leg. When they move, you kick the leg and they will fell down. And my opponents have been trying to hit my strongest point all the time. I announced clearly how much I have before I into politics. When I entered politics I had less, but the share prices went up in the stock exchange, in line with other stocks, not only mine. But they tried to mislead the people. For example, they said I avoided tax. They just said: “oh you sell noodle, you must pay tax. You sell a company, why did you not pay tax?” This is misleading. Selling noodle is selling goods, you must pay tax. The companies that sell mobile phones have to pay tax. But in selling stocks through the stock exchange, by law, is tax exempted. By law. If you got money by selling stock, they are not going to tax you, [no] capital gain tax. This is the way my opposition always use, oh you are greedy, you made a lot of money and you don’t pay tax. Because they know the weak point of the society is jealousy. In some countries you don’t have tax exempt. But different countries, different law. Thailand until this day still doesn’t have capital gain tax.

Q. Do you have a view on China and ASEAN and the South China Sea issues?

I talked to many leaders in ASEAN, and I said the South China Sea issue is involved some ASEAN member, and China is a dialogue member of ASEAN. It should not be a situation between China and ASEAN, it should be bilateral matters. The concerns can be of ASEAN, but ASEAN should not be involved in terms of negotiation and pressures. We can just avoid the conflict. That makes the first ever bad sign that happened during the ministerial meeting few months ago in Cambodia. That was the first ever we didn’t have a joint declaration because of this issue. That’s why I asked PM Hun Sen that this issue should not be a matter of ASEAN. It should be a bilateral matter. ASEAN can help in term of creating peaceful negotiation.

Q. But the position that you have is generally the position that is convenient for China?

No I don’t think so. I am also closd to the US. I think this is a matter that needed to be peaceful. ASEAN needs to be strong economically. We still have so many poor people. Why don’t we focus on peaceful solutions and try to prosper economically. Our poor can’t suffer too long. But the conflict, if you can put aside, it can wait. The people are suffering and that can not wait.

What we called “joint development” between Thailand and Malaysia, is a very good starting point [for solution’. Now we try to make it with Cambodia. This is what it should be. We should be cooperating with each other instead of fighting with each other. At the same time I really want to see a good relationship between US and China. If I can do anything to make this relationship good, I would do… I know leaders in this region. I really want to help to bring up peaceful solution. Because the region needs to prosper. The world needs us to be peaceful and to prosper. Because the world has problems in the US and in Europe. Africa also needs to be prosper, to help the whole world to grow. Otherwise the whole world will be stagnant, economically.

Q. Do you have any relationship with member of the [Chinese government] standing committee?

Not in the standing committee… I am really close to the Chinese government. And I have a chance to talk to them, listen to them. I just went to the US and met Henry Kissinger. We exchanged views on China – US, China – ASEAN, we sharesour view on how it should be.

Q. How’s he doing?

Very smart, the brain is still functioning very well. He walked me to the elevator. He is still very active. We talked over an hour.

Q.Has this been the most difficult time in your life?

I never felt it… because I am a solution provider. Whenever there’s a problem, I will find solution for it. When I can find a solution, I can’t feel any difficulty. I am ok. I am also a very positive person, always thinking and looking ahead more than looking back.

Q. If indeed it’s possible do you see yourself in Thailand in a position of some kind?

Well you know I want to be more helpful to the people in any kind. Whatever I can do, I have enough experience that I can help, in term of thinking, or anything I really want to do, because I can and I can afford to work without payment. I am still unemployed and no need salary.

Many countries offered me to set up a country in exile, at that time. Yes. Because they sympathized me and they understand very well what were happening. But I didn’t want to. Coup de tat happens in Thailand so many times but they get back to business quickly. They don’t want to revenge the ousted prime minister. But this is the first time that they ousted a Prime Minister who was still very popular and they revenged. So this is something that should not happen in Thailand, especially in a Buddhism country, but it happened already. That’s why it still goes on.